E School News Top 10 Apps for Apple Devices
One app teaches young students about cyber bullying.
Last year we presented “10 of the best apps for education,” which highlighted some of the best apps for iPhones and iPods. However, with new upgrades in touch technology, HD and 3D features, and the debut of the iPad, we’ve come up with a new list of the best Apple-based education apps for 2012.
This year’s list includes some of the most highly rated apps, both by teachers and by Apple, and features a range that spans from simple math games to a revolutionary special-education app, and from 3D imaging of the elements included in the periodic table to secure file sharing for students and teachers.
For every app we’ve listed, we’ve included a brief description, device compatibility, suggested use, features, price, and a link to a more in-depth summary with an option to purchase on iTunes.
Don’t see an app you love on this list? Be sure to let us know—or leave a suggestion in the comment section.
Name: Edmodo
What is it? Edmodo makes it easy for teachers and students to stay connected and share information.
Best for: High school students; iPhone, iPod, iPad
Price: Free
Rated: 4+
Features: Send notes; submit assignments; post replies; check messages and upcoming events while away from the classroom; teachers can post last-minute alerts to their students, keep tabs on recent assignment submissions, and grade assignments; students can view and turn in assignments and check their latest grades.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/edmodo/id378352300?mt=8
Name: Frog Dissection
What is it? This app is a greener alternative for teaching dissection in the classroom. It’s suitable for middle school students who are learning about organs and organ systems as part of their life science curriculum.
Best for: Science; Biology; iPad
Price: $3.99
Rated: 4+
Features: 3D imaging; step by step instructions with voice over; accurate simulation of the wet lab dissection procedure; content validation by subject matter experts; anatomical comparison of humans with frogs; comprehensive information on frogs’ organs; classification, lifecycle, and organ functions of frogs; interactive quiz on frogs; information on types of frogs.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frog-dissection/id377626675?mt=8
Name: Grammar Up HD
What is it? Improve grammar and vocabulary with this multiple-choice quiz system featuring more than 1,800 questions in 20 categories.
Best for: English/Language Arts; iPad
Price: $4.99
Rated: 4+
Features: More than 1,800 multiple-choice questions; choose number of questions you would like in each test; shows test results in HTML format; eMail yourself the test results and track your progress; “Progress Meter” keeps track of how you are performing in a particular topic; choose your own timer settings.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-up-hd/id406782226?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Name: History: Maps of the World
What is it? Browse high-resolution maps of the world from various periods throughout history.
Best for: History, Geography; iPhone, iPod, iPad
Price: Free
Rated: 4+
Features: Wide variety of historical displays; support for Category/Era view; keyword search; displays the source about each map; zoom in/out (zoom in/out with pinch, zoom in with double tab, and zoom out with two-fingers tap); free screen rotation; does not require a network connection.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/history-maps-of-world/id303282377?mt=8
Name: iStudiez Pro
What is it? Organize your class schedule, keep track of homework assignments, record your GPA, make to-do lists, and more with this app created for a busy student’s life.
Best for: High school students; iPhone, iPod, iPad
Price: $2.99
Rated: 4+
Features: Students are able to follow up with homework; summarizing schedules and assignments; tracking grades and GPA; push notifications; backup data options.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/app/istudiez-pro/id310636441?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=8
Name: Monster Anatomy
What is it? Explore 384 contiguous MR slices in the three anatomical planes with this interactive lower-limb radiology atlas.
Best for: Biology; iPhone, iPod, iPad
Price: $8.99
Rated: 4+
Features: Navigation with multiple shortcuts; display of images in the three anatomical planes; 3D image volume (VR) allows precise location of slice position; over 500 different labels in accordance with the “Terminologia Anatomica” and current literature references; more than 10,000 tags; the five different display modes available (bones, joints, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves) facilitate label visualization; high image quality with a zooming tool.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/monster-anatomy-lower-limb/id358915264?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Name: Motion Math
What is it? Motion Math HD follows a star that has fallen from space and must bound back up, up, up to its home in the stars. Moving fractions to their correct place on the number line is the only way to return. By playing Motion Math, learners improve their ability to perceive and estimate fractions in multiple forms.
Best for: Math; iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price: $1.99
Rated: 4+
Features: Problem hints; intro level, practice of improper fractions and negative decimals; beginner, medium, and expert modes; bonus levels.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/motion-math/id392489333?mt=8
Name: Professor Garfield Cyberbullying
What is it? Teach kids anti-bullying messages and strategies for dealing with cyber bullies with the help of Garfield and friends.
Best for: Internet safety; elementary students; iPad
Price: Free
Rated: 4+
Features: Understand the meaning of cyber bully; learn to recognize different forms of cyber bullying; learn different strategies for dealing with a cyber bully; learn the importance of enlisting the help of a trusted adult when cyber bullied.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/professor-garfield-cyberbullying/id369171501?mt=8
Name: Proloquo2go
What is it? This easy-to-use alternative communication solution offers an extensive library of symbols for those who have difficulty speaking. It provides natural sounding text-to-speech voices, high-res up-to-date symbols, automatic conjugations, a default vocabulary of more than 7,000 items, advanced word prediction, full expandability; and extreme ease of use. For anyone who cannot afford spending thousands of dollars on an AAC device and yet wants a solution that is just as good if not better. SLPs, teachers, and parents recommend it for children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, developmental disabilities, apraxia, ALS, stroke, or traumatic brain injury.
Best for: Special education; iPhone, iPod, iPad
Price: $189.99
Rated: 4+
Features: Listed above; educational institutions can get a 50-percent discount on Proloquo2Go if they purchase 20 or more licenses through Apple’s Volume Licensing Program for Education.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/app/proloquo2go/id308368164?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=8
Name: The Elements: A Visual Exploration
What is it? Learn about the periodic table in a hands-on way. Choose any element—copper, for example—and see various copper objects: a Persian weave chain, a brass ring, a Chinese bronze … and then rotate them with your finger to get a 3D view.
Best for: Science; Chemistry; iPad
Price: $13.99
Rated: 4+
Features: Sharp HD images that can rotate (available in 3D); columns of facts and figures with each element; Wolfram Alpha computational knowledge engine.
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/elements-visual-exploration/id364147847?mt=8